Want to get your hands on the Apple Watch? Join the queue. Actually…don’t, as that won’t get you anywhere.
In order to try, and then buy, the much-anticipated smartwatch you’ll have to make an appointment. And you thought shopping was built on impulse decisions?
The Apple Watch purchase process has been detailed by a couple of dedicated Apple blogs this week – 9to5Mac and MacRumours – and the long and short is that you’ll need to book a slot just to touch Apple’s debut wearable.
Once your allotted time has come you’ll get to choose a couple of the models you like from a “magical display case” (you can save yourself some time here by ‘hearting’ the Apple Watch designs you like on the official online store), then moving through to a special try-on area, complete with padded comfort wrist mats and cleaning cloths, where you can try on your Watch picks.
See also: The Most Anticipated Apple Watch Apps
It’s a setup that’s only going to be for the initial launch period, we’re told, although it’s certainly controversial and has got the tech press all a flutter.
Here’s some of the reaction…
Joe Minihane, uSwitch: “Steve Jobs was a renowned master marketeer. And wherever he is now, he’ll doubtless be applauding his company’s efforts in making its latest product, the Apple Watch, seem as if it’s the only product anyone could ever possibly want.”
James Stables, Wareable: "The Apple Watch requires notifications from an iPhone, which aren't going to be present when left on a stand. Anyone who's shown off their Android Wear watch to friends will know it's an extremely underwhelming experience when nothing is going on.”
Jeff Gamet, Mac Observer: “Apple is either making a ton of watches and expecting sales to go through the roof, or there just won't be that many available. Either way, it looks like getting a hold of an Apple Watch right away might be difficult.”
Dave Smith, Business Insider: “Apple is most likely keeping Apple Watch appointments short to let more people try on the Watch and to prevent crowds from forming within its stores.”
Paul Kunert, The Register: “The shopping dictatorship expects to finally allow people walking into its iShops to simply buy one there and then once it stops pumping the market with hot air when the initial wave of interest dies down. How novel.”
One thing is for sure, those famous Apple launch-day queues won’t be happening. Or, if they do, there’s going to be some very disappointed people.
